Washing machine and liquid additive supply device for washing machine

ABSTRACT

A washing machine including a liquid additive supply device capable of supplying a liquid additive from a reservoir tank despite a low level of liquid additive left therein. The reservoir tank has an inclined bottom surface. A suction nozzle is disposed proximate to, or adjoins, the lower side of the inclined bottom surface. Due to the inclined bottom surface, the liquid additive tends to gather on its lower side and the suction nozzle opening can remain under the liquid additive even if there is only a small amount left in the reservoir tank. This advantageously improves usage efficiency of the liquid additive loaded in the washing machine by reducing the unusable amount thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority from Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2016-0017542, filed on Feb. 16, 2016, the disclosureof which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for allpurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to washing machines, and,more particularly, to liquid additive supply devices for washingmachines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Washing machines are commonly used to wash laundry or other objects byusing friction between water and the laundry in combination withemulsification of detergent. A modern automatic washing machine iscapable of automatically performing washing, rinsing and dewatering inan integrated process once it is started.

Depending on the type of the washing tub used for containing laundry,washing machines may be classified into types including a top-loadingtype (in which a washing tub is upright) and a drum type (in which awashing tub is positioned horizontal). As compared with the top-loadingtype, a drum type washing machine generally has reduced overall heightand increased washing capacity and causes less fabric twist. Thus, thedrum type washing machine has become more popular.

A washing machine typically has a detergent supply device for dispensingdetergent during a washing cycle. The amount of detergent to bedispensed may depend on the laundry load. When supplying washing waterinto a tub, the detergent supply device supplies detergent to the tubwhere water is also supplied, the detergent being solid-phase (e.g.,powder) or liquid-phase, etc. The detergent dispensing systems inwashing machines may have quite different configurations depending onwhat kind of detergent can be used.

In a washing machine using powder detergent, the detergent supply devicecan only be installed in the upper portion of the tub as it would not beeasy to move powder detergent upward if it was added at a lowerposition. In contrast, a washing machine using liquid detergent has nosuch limitation because liquid detergent loaded at a lower position canbe brought upward by using a pump or the like. For example, in a washingmachine using liquid detergent, a detergent supply device may beinstalled under a tub.

However, in a conventional washing machine that can use liquiddetergent, when only a small amount of liquid detergent is left in theliquid detergent container, it may be difficult to pump and supply theresidual amount to the detergent supply device (see, e,g, Korea PatentApplication Publication No. 10-2010-0081254 (published on Jul. 14,2010)). Thus, a user commonly has to load extra liquid detergent that isnot actually used in a washing operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mechanism ofcontinuously supplying a liquid additive from a container in a washingmachine even when there is only a small amount left therein, therebysignificantly reducing the unusable amount of liquid additive left inthe container. In accordance with a first aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided a washing machine including: a drumconfigured to accommodate washing objects; and a liquid additive supplydevice configured to supply a liquid additive to the drum, wherein theliquid additive supply device includes: a reservoir tank configured tostore the liquid additive; and a suction nozzle extending toward abottom of the reservoir tank and configured to draw the liquid additivefrom the reservoir tank, wherein an opening end of the suction nozzleadjoins the bottom of the reservoir tank.

The washing machine may further include a washing water supply unitcoupled to the drum and configured to supply washing water to the drum.

The bottom of the reservoir tank may include an inclined surface.

The end of the suction nozzle may be positioned lower than a highestvertical location of the inclined surface.

The reservoir tank may include a first compartment and a secondcompartment.

The liquid additive supply device may further include a filter disposedbetween the first compartment and the second compartment and configuredto filter extraneous material in the liquid additive.

The liquid additive supply device may further include a level detectionunit configured to detect a shortage of liquid additive in the reservoirtank.

The level detection unit may include: a buoyancy body, wherein avertical position of the buoyancy body varies with a varying level ofthe liquid additive in the reservoir tank; and a sensor configured tosense proximity of the buoyancy body.

The liquid additive supply device may further include a suction pumpcoupled to the suction nozzle.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a liquid additive supply device for a washing machine, thedevice including: a reservoir tank configured to store liquid additiveand comprising an inclined bottom surface; a level detection unitcoupled to the reservoir tank and configured to detect an amount of theliquid additive in the reservoir tank; and a suction nozzle configuredto draw the liquid additive from the reservoir tank, wherein an openingend of the suction nozzle is disposed proximate to a lower side of theinclined bottom surface.

The reservoir tank may be divided into a first compartment and a secondcompartment. The opening end of the suction nozzle is disposed in thesecond compartment that has a lower bottom surface than the firstcompartment.

The opening end of the suction nozzle may be positioned lower than ahighest vertical location of the inclined bottom surface.

The liquid additive supply device may further include a suction pumpconfigured to drive liquid additive to be drawn through the suctionnozzle.

The liquid additive supply device may further include a control unitconfigured to disable the suction pump responsive to a signal from thelevel detection unit. The signal is indicative of a shortage of liquidadditive in the reservoir tank.

The liquid additive may be one of a detergent or a fabric softener.

The level detection unit may include a buoyancy body, a verticalposition of the buoyancy body being varied with a varying level ofliquid additive in the reservoir tank; and a sensor configured to senseproximity of the buoyancy body.

The liquid additive supply device may further include a filter disposedbetween the first compartment and the second compartment and configuredto filter extraneous material in the liquid additive.

The reservoir tank of the present invention may have an inclined surfaceso that any amount of liquid additive left in the tank tends to gatheron the lower side. Therefore, even if there is only a small amount leftin the tank, the opening of the suction nozzle can remain under theliquid additive and thus still draw the liquid additive therefrom. Thisadvantageously improves usage efficiency of the liquid additive loadedto the washing machine by reducing the unusable amount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be better understood from areading of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying figures, in which like reference characters designatelike elements and in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary washing machineprovided with a liquid additive supply device according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a side sectional view illustrating a configuration of theexemplary washing machine illustrated in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of anexemplary liquid additive supply device according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view illustrating the exemplary liquidadditive supply device according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary suction nozzle in the liquid additivesupply device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary control logic of the liquid additive supplydevice according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, configurations and operations of embodiments will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Thefollowing description is one of various patentable aspects of thedisclosure and may form a part of the detailed description of thedisclosure.

However, in describing the disclosure, detailed descriptions of knownconfigurations or functions that make the disclosure obscure may beomitted.

The disclosure may be variously modified and may include variousembodiments. Specific embodiments will be exemplarily illustrated in thedrawings and described in the detailed description of the embodiments.However, it should be understood that they are not intended to limit thedisclosure to specific embodiments but rather to cover allmodifications, similarities, and alternatives which are included in thespirit and scope of the disclosure.

The terms used herein, including ordinal numbers such as “first” and“second” may be used to describe, and not to limit, various components.The terms simply distinguish the components from one another. When it issaid that a component is “connected” or “linked” to another component,it should be understood that the former component may be directlyconnected or linked to the latter component or a third component may beinterposed between the two components. Specific terms used in thepresent application are used simply to describe specific embodimentswithout limiting the disclosure. An expression used in the singularencompasses the expression of the plural, unless it has a clearlydifferent meaning in the context.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary washing machineprovided with a liquid additive supply device according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B is a side sectional viewillustrating a configuration of the exemplary washing machineillustrated in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating theconfiguration of an exemplary liquid additive supply device according toone embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a side sectionalview illustrating the exemplary liquid additive supply device accordingto one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring first to FIG. 1A, the drum type washing machine 1 includes aliquid additive supply device 10 capable of storing a liquid additivesuch as detergent or fabric softener for instance. The liquid additivesupply device 10 may be installed in the front upper portion of thewashing machine 1. FIG. 1A illustrates that the liquid additive supplydevice 10 is covered by a cover 2.

A liquid additive can be supplied from the liquid additive supply device10 to the tub in the washing machine during a washing process. The drumtype washing machine 1 may store not only liquid but also powderadditives.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the drum type washing machine 1 may include:a drum 5; a drying device 20 configured to dry washing objects containedin the drum 5; a washing water supply unit 30 configured to supplywashing water to the drum 5; a washing water drain part 40 configured todrain the washing water therethrough; an electricity supply device 45configured to supply electric power to the washing machine 1; and aliquid additive supply device 10 configured to supply a liquid additivefor use in washing the washing object.

The drum 5 is coupled to the drying device 20 and the washing watersupply unit 30. During the drying process, drying air may be suppliedfrom the drying device 20. During the washing process, washing water issupplied from the washing water supply unit 30. Washing water containedin the drum 5 may be drained through the washing water drain part 40.

The drying device 20 may dry the laundry contained in the drum 5. Thedrying device 20 may include: a circulation device configured tocirculate air inside the drum 5; an exhaust part configured to exhaustair from the drum 5; and a heater configured to heat air inside the drum5.

The washing water supply unit 30 may supply the washing water from theoutside into the drum 5. The washing water supply unit 30 may be coupledto the liquid additive supply device 10. Washing water can be suppliedfrom the washing water supply unit 30 to the drum 5 via the liquidadditive supply device 10. The washing water supply unit 30 may include,for example, a pipe or a hose in the upper portion of the washingmachine 1.

The washing water drain part 40 may allow washing water discharged fromthe drum 5 to be drained to the outside of the washing machine 1. Theelectricity supply device 45 may supply electric power to the washingmachine 1.

The liquid additive supply device 10 is used to store a liquid additivewhich can be mixed with washing water and supplied to the drum 5. Theliquid additive supply device 10 may include multiple compartments,e.g., for separately storing liquid detergent, powder detergent andfabric softener.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid additive supply device 10 for awashing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosuremay include a reservoir tank 100, a level detection unit 300 and asuction nozzle 400 and may further include a filter part 200.

It will be appreciated that a liquid additive supply device according tothe present disclosure may include other suitable components that arewell-known in the art. The well-known components are not describedherein for brevity.

The reservoir tank 100 may contain a liquid additive such as a detergentor a fabric softener. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the reservoir tank 100may be divided into a plurality of compartments to store differentadditives (e.g., detergent and fabric softener). The compartments mayhave different sizes. The compartments may have different or similarconfigurations. In an embodiment described herein, the compartments havedifferent structure and thus different reference numerals and componentnames are used herein.

When using the washing machine 1, a user may select, e.g., through auser interface, the kind of liquid additive for a washing operation. Forinstance, if liquid additive is selected through the selection keysdisposed on an outer wall of the washing machine 1, a washing operationis started with a suction pump 500 (see FIG. 5) being activated andwashing water being supplied to the tub. Through the suction pump 500,the liquid additive stored in the reservoir tank 100 can be supplied tothe tub.

The filter part 200 may be installed between a first compartment 110 anda second compartment 120 of the reservoir tank 100. In the illustratedexample, the filter part 200 partitions the reservoir tank 100 into twocompartments 110 and 120. The filter part 200 can filter out extraneousmaterial in the liquid additive when the liquid additive flows from thefirst compartment 110 to the second compartment 120 for instance.

The level detection unit 300 can detect a surface level of the liquidadditive and notify a shortage of liquid additive to a user. The leveldetection unit 300 may be installed in the lower portion of the firstcompartment 110.

The level detection unit 300 may include a buoyancy body 310 and asensor 320. The vertical position of the buoyancy body 310 varies withthe level of the liquid additive due to buoyancy force. The sensor 320can sense the proximity of the buoyancy body 310, e.g., by detecting adistance therefrom. The buoyancy body 310 may be installed in the lowerportion of the reservoir tank 100 and move vertically with the liquidadditive level. The sensor 320 may be affixed to one side of thereservoir tank 100 to face the buoyancy body 310. If the sensor 320detects that the buoyancy body 310 moves closer, it can output a signalindicating a shortage of liquid additive to a user.

The suction nozzle 400 may be vertically installed on the side of thesecond compartment 120. The suction nozzle 400 can draw the liquidadditive stored in the second compartment 120 and supply the liquid tothe tub via a supply line (not shown). The suction pump 500 illustratedin FIG. 5 may be part of the supply line. The suction pump 500 can beimplemented in any suitable configuration that is well-known in the art.

More specifically, the suction nozzle 400 may extend to the bottom ofthe second compartment 120. In this configuration, the nozzle 400 candraw liquid additive even if there is only a small amount remaining inthe second compartment 120.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary placement of the suction nozzle in theliquid additive supply device according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary controllogic of the liquid additive supply device according to one embodimentof the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the bottom of the reservoir tank 100 mayincline downward and deviate from the horizontal line W. As shown, thebottom of the second compartment 120 is positioned lower than the bottomof the first compartment 110. When only a small amount of liquidadditive is left in the reservoir tank 100, it tends to gather at thelower corner of the second compartment 120. Given the same amount ofliquid, the inclined bottom of the reservoir tank offers a higher levelof liquid additive compared with a reservoir tank having a completelyhorizontal bottom. Thus the opening of the suction nozzle 400 can remainunder the liquid and still draw the liquid even if there is only a smallamount left.

The suction nozzle 400 may extend toward the bottom surface of thesecond compartment 120 as close as possible so that the opening end ofthe suction nozzle 400 is positioned lower than the horizontal line W,which marks the highest position of the bottom surface of the reservoirtank 100 as illustrated. The opening of the suction nozzle 400 may bespaced apart from the bottom of the second compartment 120 by a certaindistance h.

The exemplary washing machine 1 may further include the suction pump 500coupled to the suction nozzle 400. The suction pump 500 drives theliquid additive through the suction nozzle 400 to the tub. The suctionpump 500 may be enabled when liquid additive is supplied to the tub.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the washing machine 1 may further include acontrol unit 600 configured to disable the suction pump 500 when thecontrol unit 600 receives a signal from the level detection unit 300 anddetermines that the liquid additive stored in the reservoir tank 100 isdeficient.

The control unit 600 may be integrated with another control unit in thewashing machine.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a reservoir tank mayhave an inclined surface so that any amount of liquid additive left inthe tank tends to gather on the lower side of the tank. Thus, theopening of the suction nozzle can remain under the liquid additive andstill draw the liquid additive. This advantageously improves usageefficiency of a liquid additive loaded to the washing machine byreducing the unusable amount.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are describedabove with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in theart will understand that the present disclosure may be implemented invarious ways without changing the necessary features or the spirit ofthe present disclosure.

Therefore, it should be understood that the exemplary embodimentsdescribed above are not limiting, but only an example in all respects.The scope of the present disclosure is expressed by claims below, notthe detailed description, and it should be construed that all changesand modifications achieved from the meanings and scope of claims andequivalent concepts are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, and that various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Theexemplary embodiments disclosed in the specification of the presentdisclosure do not limit the present disclosure. The scope of the presentdisclosure will be interpreted by the claims below, and it will beconstrued that all techniques within the scope equivalent thereto belongto the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A washing machine comprising: a drum configuredto accommodate washing objects; and a liquid additive supply deviceconfigured to supply a liquid additive to the drum, wherein the liquidadditive supply device comprises: a reservoir tank configured to storethe liquid additive; and a suction nozzle extending toward a bottom ofthe reservoir tank and configured to draw the liquid additive from thereservoir tank, wherein an opening end of the suction nozzle adjoins thebottom of the reservoir tank.
 2. The washing machine of claim 1 furthercomprising a washing water supply unit coupled to the drum andconfigured to supply washing water to the drum.
 3. The washing machineof claim 1, wherein the bottom of the reservoir tank comprises aninclined surface.
 4. The washing machine of claim 3, wherein the end ofthe suction nozzle is positioned lower than a highest vertical locationof the inclined surface.
 5. The washing machine of claim 3 wherein thereservoir tank comprises a first compartment and a second compartment.6. The washing machine of claim 5, wherein the liquid additive supplydevice further comprises a filter disposed between the first compartmentand the second compartment and configured to filter extraneous materialin the liquid additive.
 7. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein theliquid additive supply device further comprises a level detection unitconfigured to detect a shortage of liquid additive in the reservoirtank.
 8. The washing machine of claim 7, wherein the level detectionunit comprises: a buoyancy body, wherein a vertical position of thebuoyancy body varies with a varying level of the liquid additive in thereservoir tank; and a sensor configured to sense proximity of thebuoyancy body.
 9. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the liquidadditive supply device further comprises a suction pump coupled to thesuction nozzle.
 10. A liquid additive supply device for a washingmachine, the device comprising: a reservoir tank configured to storeliquid additive and comprising an inclined bottom surface; a leveldetection unit coupled to the reservoir tank and configured to detect anamount of the liquid additive in the reservoir tank; and a suctionnozzle configured to draw the liquid additive from the reservoir tank,wherein an opening end of the suction nozzle is disposed proximate to alower side of the inclined bottom surface.
 11. The liquid additivesupply device of claim 10, wherein the reservoir tank is divided into afirst compartment and a second compartment, wherein the opening end ofthe suction nozzle is disposed in the second compartment that has alower bottom surface than the first compartment.
 12. The liquid additivesupply device of claim 10, wherein the opening end of the suction nozzleis positioned lower than a highest vertical location of the inclinedbottom surface.
 13. The liquid additive supply device of claim 10further comprising a suction pump configured to drive liquid additive tobe drawn through the suction nozzle.
 14. The liquid additive supplydevice of claim 13 further comprising: a control unit configured todisable the suction pump responsive to a signal from the level detectionunit, wherein the signal is indicative of a shortage of liquid additivein the reservoir tank.
 15. The liquid additive supply device of claim10, wherein the liquid additive is one of a detergent or a fabricsoftener.
 16. The liquid additive supply device of claim 10, wherein thelevel detection unit comprises: a buoyancy body, wherein a verticalposition of the buoyancy body varies with a varying level of liquidadditive in the reservoir tank; and a sensor configured to senseproximity of the buoyancy body.
 17. The liquid additive supply device ofclaim 10 further comprising a filter disposed between the firstcompartment and the second compartment and configured to filterextraneous material in the liquid additive.